Basic Music Theory: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music

Basic Music Theory

Example 17.1 A few measures of eighth note triplets with counting.

Sixteenth Note Triplets

To find the length of a sixteenth note triplet, we use the same rule: a

triplet’s length is the same length as two notes of equal value. That means

a sixteenth note triplet happens in the time it takes to play two sixteenth

notes, which is half of a beat.

A sixteenth note triplet is a half beat long.

Sixteenth note triplets look like this:.

The counting for sixteenth note triplets is a little trickier than most other

rhythms, but with a couple tries and some foot coordination, you

shouldn’t have any trouble.

The count for two beats of sixteenth note triplets is 1 la li + la li, 2 la li +

la li. The “1” and “2” occur when your foot hits the floor, the “+” is the

upbeat, or the second half of the beat, when the foot is in the “up”

position. The “la” and “li” should fit between the number and the “+”,

while your foot is either going up or coming down.

Sixteenth note triplets are fast, even at a slow tempo, so you have to spit

out that “la-li” quickly. It’ll probably take a few tries to get it right, so

keep at it until you’ve got it.

In the example which follows, notice that in measure two and three the

sixteenth note triplet is connected to an eighth note. Sixteenth note

triplets are often paired with eighth notes to round out the beat.

1 tri ple 2 tri ple 3 tri ple 4 tri ple 1 tri ple 2 tri ple 3 tri ple 4